SUMMARY OF CONDITIONS 
PACIFIC FLYWAY 
The mid-winter survey of waterfowl indicated little change in the 
numbers of ducks, geese, or brant. The population of coot increased for 
the second consecutive year. 
In the areas supplying the Pacific Flyway with waterfowl, breeding 
populations increased in Alaska, southern Alberta, Utah and Montana. 
Decreases were recorded in northern Alberta and the Northwest 
Territories and California. Breeding populations were about the same 
in British Columbia, Washington and southern Saskatchewan. 
Weather and water conditions were somewhat spotty this year as 
far as waterfowl production in the Pacific Flyway was concerned. ‘Spring 
was early in nortnwestern Alaska, but late in all of the remaining 
breeding areas. averaging from 1U days to 3 weeks behind last year. 
Excess:e rains fell in portions of the Northwest Territories, parts_of 
Saskatchewan and British Coliumoia. Water conditions were good in 
southcentral Alberta and eastern Montana, but drought was prevalent 
in southern Alberta, western Montana and Utah. Over~-all, weather 
conditions in the Pacific Flyway breeding range were conducive to 
average producton. 
Production surveys during July have indicated there will be an 
increased number of young produced in parts of Alaska, southern Alberta, 
and Montana. Decreases are expected in most of the Northwest 
Territor:es, northern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Utah, while about the | 
same preduction is estimated in most of Alaska, British Columbia, 
Washington and California. | 
Little 1nformation is available regarding changes in the population 
of geese, except from the mid-winter survey. The January 1954 survey 
indicated geese were at about the same level as in 1953, but somewhat 
below the average for the past 5 years. 
Over-all, it 1s estimated the gains in Alberta, Montana, and a few 
small areas in the Far North will off-set the losses elsewhere and; the 
fall flight of ducks in the Pacific Flyway will be about the same magnitude 
as last year. Also, it is estimated the flight of geese will be about the 
Same, while the flight of coot will increase. 
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